King Albert of England. George VI: biography. Final years and death

George VI, King of Great Britain and its dominions, is not just the father of the now living, but also a symbol of the fortitude of the British nation, which she showed in the fight against Nazi Nazism during the Second World War. The monarch, at first not recognized by either the people or the parliament, became the darling of his country, and the time of his reign was one of the brightest periods in the history of England.

Childhood and youth

Albert Frederick Arthur George is the second of six children of the King and Victoria Maria Augusta, née Duchess of Teck. By the way, at first, Mary was supposed to become the wife of George V's older brother, Albert Victor, but the heir to the throne died of the flu.

The royal parents were strict people, the upbringing of the heirs was entrusted to nannies and tutors, which could not but affect the children. Some sources write that brother Henry was addicted to drugs, George, Duke of Kent, suffered from alcoholism.

The stuttering of the future king is also a consequence of nervous tension caused by indifference and harsh morals in the family. This myth appeared thanks to the famous film "The King's Speech!".

The painting, awarded 4 Oscars, has become the source of numerous quotes attributed to the British monarch. For example, that being late is George's forte, or that he is the most significant king, because long pauses in speech add weight. However, it is not known whether George VI actually said these words.

Following a centuries-old tradition, George VI graduated from more than one higher military educational institution and served in the army. From the disease that tormented him for almost 40 years, the king got rid of with the help of speech therapist Lionel Logue, who later, having ascended the throne, was promoted to Commander of the Royal Victorian Order.

Moreover, together with Simpson, already in the status of the Dukes of Windsor, he visited the leader of the Third Reich in Germany. Seeing this as a threat to the throne, the new king George VI and the prime minister removed Edward away, giving him the post of governor in the Bahamas.

According to rumors, the news that he was to become the mainstay of the British monarchy, George digested for several days, locking himself in a room and refusing to talk to anyone. From the already insecure, George was depressed, but set about correcting the image of the royal family.

During the reign of the last king of Northern Ireland and the emperor of India, the British Empire ceased to exist. On its ruins, the Commonwealth of Nations arose, in which England retained its dominant position. Former English colonies actually swore allegiance to the crown, becoming evidence of the strengthening of the doctrine of the "king-symbol".

If for the world community the monarchy demonstrated a brilliant ability to adapt to any conditions, then in domestic politics the situation was not so brilliant. It was under George VI, in the midst of the post-war crisis, that the court and Parliament concluded an agreement to exempt the royal family from paying taxes. Only the daughter of Elizabeth II in the 21st century has refused this privilege.

The royal court had to prove the right to exist. The post-war social revolution destroyed the age-old reverence for the crown. Ideas were growing in society that the old British way of life made it difficult to compete with the rest of the world. In addition, the Labor Party won the parliamentary elections. Under these conditions, George insisted on the appointment of the ardent anti-Communist Ernest Bevin to the post of Foreign Minister.

The king did not save before the new government either. Studying the programs of the proposed economic and social transformations, George VI made amendments or even objected to innovations. This was especially true of issues of state control, nationalization of industries, tax increases for wealthy citizens.

The confrontation with the Laborites was not of a public nature and subsequently led to the conclusion that George VI, unlike his father, was more constructive in the conduct of public affairs.

George proved to be a political heavyweight when he persuaded the head of the cabinet, Clement Attlee, to hold parliamentary elections, which returned Winston Churchill to power. And with him the king had a complete understanding.

Personal life

The personal life page in the king's biography is not as dramatic as that of his predecessor. George did not have to make great sacrifices, although there were rumors here too. One of the legends says that a mistress, actress Evelyn Lay, nicknamed Boo, introduced the speech therapist Log of the monarch. And allegedly this happened at the suggestion of Queen Elizabeth, George's wife.

Elizabeth Bowles-Lyon, of course, also of blue blood - a countess, a representative of the Scottish family of Strathmore and Kinghorns. The couple had known each other since childhood, but Elizabeth twice rejected George's offer. She explained the refusal by the fact that she was afraid of the burden of responsibility and restrictions that are automatically placed on members of the royal family.

Two daughters were born in the marriage - the heir to the throne, Elizabeth II, and the "rebellious princess" Margaret. The youngest was so nicknamed for her behavior inappropriate for royalty.

Queen Elizabeth became a faithful friend and adviser to George, for whom royal duties have long remained an unbearable burden. On her initiative, fundraising began in England to help restore Stalingrad. Struck by the courage of the Soviet people, the royal family wanted to make gifts on their own behalf.

It was decided to give the gift sword to the heroic city. The weapon in some sources is called the Sword of Stalingrad. The blade of gold and silver was forged in the image of the swords of the crusaders. The ceremony was held in Tehran, during a meeting of the leaders of the countries of the anti-Hitler coalition.

The royal couple led a far from idle life. George VI and Elizabeth spent months on state visits, participated in other events appropriate to their status. If George was not mentally ready to become king, then they said about Elizabeth that she was born to reign.

Death

When Georg was 18 years old, his mother presented his son with a gift - a box of cigars. The addiction to tobacco played a bad joke on the king, he always smoked a lot. Unlike Elizabeth, who died at the age of 101, George failed to live to a ripe old age.

After the war, the doctors finally managed to convince the monarch to give up the addiction, but the health of George VI was already undermined. In 1951, one lung was removed to prevent a recurrence of the previously diagnosed cancer.

In addition, hereditary atherosclerosis of the vessels of the legs made itself felt, and I had to resort to surgical intervention on the spine. The Christmas speech, which the British monarch always gave live, was recorded in advance and in parts when George had the strength.

In January 1952, ignoring the doctors' ban, the king came to see off his daughter Elizabeth on a trip to Africa and Australia. Returning home, he went hunting. As Churchill later said, George knew that he did not have much time left. The cause of death of the King of Great Britain on February 6, 1952 was coronary thrombosis.

According to some sources, 300 thousand people came to the funeral of the monarch. The august person was buried in the family residence - Windsor Castle, in St. George's Chapel, next to Edward IV, and.

In 1955, a monument to George VI was opened not far from the chapel, in 2009 a monument to his wife, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, appeared nearby.

Memory

• 2005 - postage stamp of Kyrgyzstan
• 2010 - the film "The King's Speech!"
• 2015 - film "London Holidays"
• The Bletchley bar in London. Cocktail "George VI" with edible gold and diamonds
• Firstborn and - George Alexander Louis - named after George VI

In 1947, the King reluctantly gave permission for the marriage of Elizabeth II's daughter to Prince Philip. But his older brother did not live to see the coronation, so in 1911 George 5 headed the state. So Albert developed a habit that George 6 suffered greatly from later on. England went to war with Germany in 1914. The young soldier was ready to fight, but his health failed him.

He took part in the famous Battle of Jutland on May 31 - June 1, 1916. In 1917, he went to serve in aviation, but did not take part in hostilities. In 1920, Albert returned to court and began to fulfill his duties, periodically acting as a representative of his father. In 1923 he married Elizabeth, the youngest daughter of the Earl of Strathmore. In the second half of the 1930s, the probability of the outbreak of war was already high.

During the war, he traveled a lot around the country, visiting plants and factories, visited the front in North Africa, supporting the morale of the British people. In 1940, he narrowly escaped death when a bomb dropped from a German plane exploded in the courtyard of Buckingham Palace, breaking all the windows.

Under George began the disintegration of the British Empire and its transformation into the Commonwealth. After that, in 1950, he took the title of Head of the Commonwealth, which is included in the list of royal titles, but is not hereditary. Poor health since childhood, Georg nevertheless smoked a lot. In 1948, he was diagnosed with lung cancer, from which he died in early 1952, leaving the throne to his eldest daughter, Elizabeth.

George 6, King of England, lived a long and very exciting, but hard life. He was born into this world not for the throne, and when he had to take the post of ruler, he was very upset. During the unrest and changes in the political elite, many monarchical families suffered. Tsars, kings and princes were thrown off their thrones, killed.

The wife of King George 5, Mary of Teck, categorically forbade the use of alcohol at court during the war. King George V received a military education and spent his entire childhood in the Navy. He was sure that in order for the heirs to grow up as respectable and courageous people, they need a strict upbringing.

The girl was the eldest in the family and often took care of her younger brothers. The parents of the crumbs took her with them to orphanages, hospitals and hospitals. She saw them twice a week.

And the youngest boy, John, suffered from epilepsy, and his parents sent him away from the yard. The child died alone. In aristocratic families, children are brought up by nannies and servants. This fate did not bypass George 6, who was named Albert at birth. In addition, George 6 wrote only with his left hand. The biography, especially the childhood of the king, consisted of failures and disappointments. Nevertheless, by order of the parents, the children entered the naval school.

There are documents confirming that the boy was once punished for setting off fireworks in the toilet. Doctors forbade the young man to continue his naval service, but in 1915 he returned to the ship. Science was difficult, but over the years of study, the prince realized that his family should be the standard of morality. In 1920 he was given the title of Duke.

The couple met at a ball. The future wife of George 6 immediately won the heart of the prince. The wedding took place in 1923, on April 26. On January 20, 1936, the king died, his eldest son Edward 8 took his place. This man was called weak-willed, short-sighted, overly feminine, but at the same time he was often led by fits of rage.

He was noticed in the company of homosexuals. Often on the hunt, which was arranged by Edward 8 and George 6 in their territories, the elder brother dabbled in drugs. The aristocratic family and the chosen one of the potential king did not appreciate it. He fell in love with an American who was not only brought up in the wrong, depraved conditions, but was also divorced twice.

When Albert learned that his brother had abdicated and that he must now perform this work, he became very ill. He spent several days in his room and did not even want to talk to anyone.

His brother abdicated on December 11, 1936. The next day, the throne was taken by Albert Frederick Arthur - that was the real name of George 6. The ceremony took place in May. He, like his father in his time, had to take the throne after his brother. But unlike his father, Albert had no one to consult on this matter. All her life they said about her: “The one that smiles,” because in kindness and mercy she had no equal.

Then George 6 said that he did not want another woman as his wife. The queen became interested in Elizabeth, met with her and realized that this lady would actually make her son happy. King George 6 of Great Britain belongs to the Windsor dynasty. In 1909, he went to serve in the Navy as a cadet, and soon received the rank of midshipman. He became the last king of Ireland, who repealed the External Relations Act in 1948, and the last emperor of India, who proclaimed a republic in 1947.

George VI(Albert Frederick Arthur George Windsor) became King of Great Britain and the British Dominions on 11 December 1936 after his older brother, Edward VIII, abdicated. His Majesty George VI reigned as King during World War II and is known to have lifted the spirit of the nation by refusing to leave London for safer living. In the years following World War II, his health began to decline, possibly due to a combination of stress and excessive smoking. In 1951, a malignant tumor was found in one of the lungs, and the tumor and lung were removed in the fall of that year. King George VI gradually regained his strength, then died quietly in his sleep on February 8, 1952.

In the late forties, William Branham was shocked by a telegram received from King George VI, which said:

"Brother Branham, I learn from my secretary that one of his friends has been healed of multiple sclerosis. I wish you would come and pray for me that our Lord Jesus will heal me."

Feeling that it was not the will of the Lord to go to England at that time, William Branham replied that he would not be able to come, but would pray for the King in America, which he did. This was the point of that Angel's prophecy: You will pray for the kings of the earth". He was executed.

Some time later, a second telegram arrived from King George VI, again asking William Branham to come and pray for him. In early April 1950, on his way to Finland, William Branham was finally able to personally meet King George VI and pray for him. Most of his health and freedom returned to King George shortly thereafter, and he was seen in public active until he contracted lung cancer in 1951. William Branham's personal records include a letter of thanks from King George VI for his prayers.

Disease

A close friend of King George VI's private secretary attended William Branham's meetings at Fort Wayne, Indiana. It was during these meetings that this friend witnessed the instant healing of a man who had been bedridden with multiple sclerosis for 10 years. King George VI then learned of William Branham through his secretary, who relayed the story to him. In an account of his praying for King George VI, William Branham mentioned that many times King George VI contacted him because he was also stricken with multiple sclerosis.

While the medical records of King George VI were not made public (and probably never will be), the only public evidence that King George VI had multiple sclerosis was his failing health and the report that during his 1947 trip to South Africa, he looked sickly and slurred his words (although King George VI stuttered like a young man). In 1948, the public was aware that King George VI had a form of arteriosclerosis (replacement of the connective tissue of the vascular wall of the arteries) called thromboangiitis obliterans or Bourget's disease, after which the king greatly reduced his public appearances. Some of the nerves in his legs were also severed to relieve him of some pain when standing.

Depending on which sources are more credible, different people may come to different conclusions about what disease William Branham was actually praying for. Despite this, in the end, this issue is not significant. What is most important is determined by the following facts:

• A friend of the king's secretary testified of a man healed of multiple sclerosis.
• King George VI personally invited William Branham twice to pray for him.
• William Branham met and prayed for King George VI in London in April 1950.
• King George began to show more public appearances after William Branham prayed, indicating a recovery in his failing health.
• King George VI acknowledged William Branham's prayers with a letter of thanks.
• King George VI continued to smoke excessively, which led to him losing a lung and eventually to death.

In the second half of the 1930s, the probability of the outbreak of war was already high. Initially, George VI took a peaceful stance towards Hitler, and invited Neville Chamberlain, who had returned from the Munich talks in 1938, to appear on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, which caused an uproar among the anti-German public.

In 1939, the King and Queen visited North America, where they met with US President Franklin Roosevelt, becoming the first reigning British monarchs to pay an official visit to the US and Canada.

After the outbreak of the war, George, contrary to the advice of Winston Churchill, did not want to leave for Canada, but remained in England. During the war, he traveled a lot around the country, visiting plants and factories, visited the front in North Africa, supporting the morale of the British people. In 1940, George narrowly escaped death when a bomb dropped from a German plane exploded in the courtyard of Buckingham Palace, shattering all the windows. May 8, 1945 (Victory in Europe Day - V-E Day) the royal family took to the balcony of the palace, celebrating the end of the war in Europe.

Under George, the collapse of the British Empire and its transformation into the Commonwealth began. George was the last king of Ireland to repeal the External Relations Act in 1948, and the last emperor of India to proclaim a republic in 1947. After that, in 1950, George VI assumed the title of Head of the Commonwealth, which is included in the list of royal titles, but is not hereditary.

Poor health since childhood, Georg nevertheless smoked a lot. In 1948, he was diagnosed with lung cancer, from which he died in early 1952, leaving the throne to his eldest daughter.

George VI was born on December 14, 1895 in Sandringham, UK. He was born into the royal family of George V and Queen Mary. As befits a prince, he studied at the Royal Naval Academy. After him, he went to serve as a midshipman on the Collingwood ship.

In 1916 he took part in the battle of Jutland, for which George was promoted to junior lieutenant. During the First World War he was a flight commander in the Royal Air Force on the Western Front. With the end of the war, Prince George continued his education in the city of Cambridge.

George received the title of Duke of York in 1920 and soon married Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon. A few years later, the future Queen Elizabeth II was born in the family. At the end of 1936, Edward VIII abdicates the throne, and the crown passes to his brother, George VI. The new king becomes supreme ruler of Great Britain, Canada, Australia, South Africa, India and Ireland.

At the same time, George VI takes command of the British and Canadian armed forces and receives the rank of Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Australian Air Force and Admiral of the Fleet. During the Second World War, the royal couple was next to their troops in France, then in Africa, then in Normandy. George VI was active in the fight against the Nazis.

In 1940, the residence of the monarch was repeatedly bombed from the air. On September 12, 1940, a German bomb exploded 20 meters from Buckingham Palace, which affected the king's health: he could not read, often looked at the sky with concern. In the event of the occupation of Great Britain, the royal family was supposed to be evacuated to Canada. The king himself was not going to leave, intending to stay in the country and participate in the Resistance.

The king, between 1940 and 1941, regularly practiced shooting with different types of weapons. Despite the fact that Great Britain was an ally of the USSR, the king was very wary of allies in the camp.

In 1945, after the appointment of K. Attlee as prime minister, George had a significant influence on the head of government, in particular, he insisted that E. Bevin, known for his anti-communist views, be appointed minister of foreign affairs. George was also against the broad nationalization of industry, which began under the Labor Party.

George VI, the Queen and Princesses departed England on 1 February 1947 by sea for a state visit to South Africa. The last years of George's reign under Attlee's Labor government were marked by the accelerated disintegration of the British Empire and its transformation into the Commonwealth of Nations.

India gained full independence in 1948 and Ireland in 1949. The granting of India's independence caused great displeasure to George. In November 1947, he also reluctantly agreed to the marriage of his daughter Elizabeth, considering Prince Philip Mountbatten not a very brilliant party.

The royal couple in 1948 planned a trip to New Zealand and Australia, which was postponed due to the deteriorating health of the king. He was diagnosed with lung cancer. The stress of the war had a detrimental effect on the health of the monarch, who, in addition, smoked a lot. In September 1951, one lung was removed from him. In 1952, on January 29, despite the advice of doctors, he arrived at the airport to see off his daughter on vacation in Kenya.

George VI died on February 6, 1952 at Sandringham Palace in his sleep from a coronary thrombosis. Buried in St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. Elizabeth returned from Kenya already as a queen.